baking help!! please and thank you!?

Question

I have poor baking ablilities but i want to bake a cake for mother's day... i was planning to use one of those cake formulas in boxes sold in groceries in which you simply add eggs and such...

but i wish to make it extra special... can i add nuts or marshmallows or chocolate chips or something?

i am planning to make either a chocolate cake or a chocolate marble cake...

by the way, can you also giv me ideas on garnishing and making delicious low calorie icing?

thank you very much!!

Answer 1

i have never added marshmallows to my cake mixes but i have baked a vanilla cake & added chocolate chips to it.. if you are making chocolate or marble cake i would leave the chips out...if you do add the chocolate chips set aside 1/4 cup of the dry powder cake mix & mix the chips in that before adding to the batter...add last & gently fold in not to over mix the cake

one easy and yummy way of 'icing' a cake is using cool whip topping, the 'frozen whipped cream' .. you can find low fat cool whip .. spread on the cake no more then one hour before serving, but make sure to thaw the cool whip according to the instructions on the package...good ways to decorate is with sprinkles, but one beautiful and elgant but yet easy way is with edible glitter, comes in a variety of colours, and looks very pretty sprinkled on a cake. good luck!

Answer 2

This isn't a chocolate or a chocolate marble cake, but it does use a box mix and is very easy and incredibly flavorful and moist. My grandmother used to make this on a regular basis, and it's yummy!

1 package yellow cake mix
1 small package lemon instant pudding
1 can (16 oz. size) fruit cocktail with juice
1 cup shredded coconut
4 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
***Butter Glaze***
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 1/3 cup shredded coconut

Blend all ingredients except brown sugar and nuts. Beat 4 minutes at medium speed. Pour into a greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts.

Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed and pulls away from sides. Cool 15 minutes. Spoon hot glaze over warm cake.

For Glaze: Combine margarine, evaporated milk and sugar in a saucepan. Heat on LOW until it is all melted and well combined. Stir in coconut.

This recipe for Ugly Duckling Pudding Cake serves 14.

Answer 3

honestly there are some great boxed cakes out there! but a really easy cake to make is a light and delicious Angel Food cake, get a brand name or whatever like Betty Crocker is what I use, you will also need one of those large cake pans with a removeable bottom and the whole in the middle! htey are a good investment though (nonstick is best!) Then once it is done baking whip some whip cream sweetening to taste with sugar and vanilla extract (it is a perfect delicious and easy icing for the cake that doesnt mask the flavor or light airiness of the cake!) because it is for mothers day, the fruit this time of year is great, i suggest getting tons of strawberries, kiwi, blueberries and anything else that you and your mom like, wash the fruit, pat dry, and arrange on the cake in a pretty pattern after you frost it with the whipped cream! must serve immediatley, and if you frost the whole thing, its best tat day, but I'm sure it wont last longer than a few minutes if you have guests, its delicious and my dad's favorite!! i have made it for his birthday the last five years in a row!!!

Good luck! and have fun!

Answer 4

yes, instant cake mixes are usually the easiest methods for beginner bakers. it's simple and no measuring is required. minimum mess, and minimum mistakes to be made. adding additional ingredients like nuts, sprinkles and such is acceptable. but be sure to mix it into the batter just before transferring to the cake tin.

have a look at this link for cake ideas. there are plenty if you browse around the website: http://www.flickr.com/groups/fantasycake/pool/

here is a recipe for low calorie chocolate icing mix:

1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/4 cups Splenda sugar substitute
3 tablespoons nonfat milk
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa

Prep. time: 30 mins

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and butter until butter has melted.

Whisk in the dry milk, cornstarch, and Splenda.

Heat the mixture and stir constantly until thickens, (do NOT let it boil).

Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes.

Add vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa and whisk vigorously until well combined.

Cool before frosting.

Answer 5

There are lots of things you can do with cake mix to make it special:

1. Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix: Bake cake according to package directions and cool. Slice layers in half so that you have 4 layers. Mix cherry pie filling with whipped cream and spread evenly on bottom layer. Place layer on top and repeat. Top cake with more whipped cream and marachino cherries.
2. Yellow Cake Mix: While mixing cake, add mashed ripened bananas to the mix. Stir in candied walnuts and place in a prepared bundt pan. Bake as directed. Remove cake and cool thoroughly. Place on serving dish and top with cream cheese glaze (1 3 oz package cream cheese, 3 T butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 T milk, blend until smooth. Add more milk until consistency is pourable but will adhere to the cake). Spoon glaze over the top and sprinkle with crushed candied walnuts.
3. Triple Chocolate Decadence: Make your fudge cake as directed. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chunks or chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pans and bake according to directions. When cooled, take them out of the pans and place bottom layer on serving dish. Spread with purchased ready made chocolate frosting. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and mini chocolate chips. Place top layer on cake and secure with toothpicks down the center. Finish frosting the cake. On top, sprinkle mini chocolate chips, or shaved chocolate, and pecans.

Answer 6

if its a lemon or orange cake then serve it with a dollop of plain unsweetend yohurt, really nice(maybe even a few threds of zest too)

Answer 7

marshmallow r great in muffins.. not cake..

icing.. umm.. u put..
butter.. chocolate.. a teaspoon of water..